I like my hardtop, just bought a house with a garage and a hoist installation is in progress. Can't wait I lived in an apartment before and only took the top off twice in two years. But I did have two kids in the last two years. The hardtop works because I can open the back (2 door) and put my son in very easy. When they grow up a bit I'll put in a safari or sail top with cargo netting.

Really depends on the person's needs. If I was a single man with no kids I'd probably go with a soft or no top

After 17 years with a soft top, I ordered a 14 Sport S with a hard top, figuring I could pick up a soft top down the road. I never had any security issues with the soft top. A cop friend of mine who has owned soft tops told never lock the vehicle or keep anything in it. I would say anyone who isn't sure what to get (and money is an issue) get a soft top.

IMO, soft top is better. Its more versatile than a hardtop and can be put up/down at a whim. As far as security goes, I dont think a hard top is any more secure unless you've got a power locks and alarm package, because if someone is bent on stealing something they'll cut windows, bust windows it doesn't matter. theyd probably even take the doors off lol

Both. I bought my 2012 with a factory hard top, and purchased a Bestop Supertop myself. Best of both worlds. Hard top hangs in the garage during the summer, drop it back on for winter. With the soft top, I just leave the jeep unlocked with nothing of real value in it. Never had an issue. Of course, I do live in the suburbs.

2013 JKU Premium Softtop , only here. IMO, JK with hardtop has a nice appearance.
JKU with hardtop looks boxy.
JKU with the premium top looks classy. Honestly, I get very nice compliments about my JKU/ Premium softtop -and when I least expect it !

Most may not like my answer, but I say Hard Top. Here is why. You can still take a hard top off and get the Jeep feel. To me its the same as half doors. You can take a full door off and get the Jeep feel. But, you cant make a soft top a hard top if you want one, nor can you make half doors full doors if you want it. To me, halfs and soft top are the middle ground when really you will want either extreme (or at least I do).

I have half doors and a soft top so take it with a grain of salt. I will either be trading in soon or adding full doors and a hard top - having both sets of doors and both tops would be best.

I'm not talking about getting a little damp, I'm talking about the kind that hit and dump enough rain on a baseball field in 5 minutes to cancel games. A mile up the road, dry as a bone. There is no predicting them, so having the ability to be topless, and then topped within minutes is a necessity.

I hang the hard top in the garage during the summer and will put it on for the winter. If you can't decide, get both. Or at the very least get the factory hard top from the dealer so, as Panthermark stated, you get the wiring, wiper fluid connection and possibly stiffer springs. You can always by OEM takeoff or third party soft top. MUCH cheaper than trying to buy a hard top after the fact and MANY more soft top options. After a year or two you can continue the hard/soft shuffle, or choose your favorite and sell the other to add another mod. You may take a bath on the price, but by then it will seem like found money. Kind of like a tax refund.

...After a year or two you can continue the hard/soft shuffle, or choose your favorite and sell the other to add another mod. You may take a bath on the price, but by then it will seem like found money. Kind of like a tax refund.

Order both tops. I just have the soft top because the Jeep I wanted sat on the dealers lot with just the soft top. Now, I am contemplating buying a used hard top and they are running around $1500!

For me, the soft top is the essence of a Jeep. I love having the top off and feeling connected with the outdoors. Soft tops have come a long way. Mine is a 2011 and I have no complaints about noise, weather, or leaks. I am sure that the new Premium Soft Top is even better. My Jeep does spend the night in a garage, and I am careful about where I park and what I leave in it. My only limitation is that I can't keep a gun in my Jeep. Just too risky!

Order both tops. I just have the soft top because the Jeep I wanted sat on the dealers lot with just the soft top. Now, I am contemplating buying a used hard top and they are running around $1500!

Did you order your Jeep LouLou?

^This, same story, the Jeep I wanted sat on the dealers lot with just the soft top. I have found a one month old hardtop (I was lucky, you don't see them often for sale around here), installed it for winter a week ago, and odered the wiring kit that I will need to install when delivered.

I do a lot of traveling, and I leave my vehicle in places with things in the back. I needed a hard top for this reason. Yes, it provides a false sense of security, but it is a slight deterrent (I keep everything covered with a tarp, away from curious eyes). When I am not travelling, I hoist the hard top off and run my Trektop. Love it. I say get the hard top option so you always have it, and buy yourself a soft top at a good price. Picked mine up for $500. It's easier than going soft top and then trying to acquire a hard top later on. IMO.

The thing with this "debate" is that you can have both (assuming you have a garage). I have both. They both have their pros and cons.

I have a premium top with a spiderwebshade....it is awesome in warm weather. I spend 99% of my time in sunrider mode with the rear window unzipped. Takes me less than a minute to get there because I don't latch the sunrider shut (unless it is going to be a storm) and I don't use the veclro straps unless I'm going on the highway. I have a blanket on top of my Tuffy trunk enclosure, so the rear window just rests on that. Love it.

I also love my painted hardtop with saddle/oak Hotheads. It is roomy, well insulated, and most importantly (to me)....cheerful. I also enjoy the security of the hardtop. While I don't leave much in the Jeep. I feel much better knowing that you can't just unzip the window to get in (that is a bit part of why I don't bother latching my soft top anymore).

While the OP has already made their choice. I still think it is much easier to get the hard top from the factory, and go find a soft top on CG or someting.

I do a lot of traveling, and I leave my vehicle in places with things in the back. I needed a hard top for this reason. Yes, it provides a false sense of security, but it is a slight deterrent (I keep everything covered with a tarp, away from curious eyes). When I am not travelling, I hoist the hard top off and run my Trektop. Love it. I say get the hard top option so you always have it, and buy yourself a soft top at a good price. Picked mine up for $500. It's easier than going soft top and then trying to acquire a hard top later on. IMO.

Do you have to take the trek top off when you put the hardtop back on?
Thanks

It is more secure because it is harder to break into. The same way as a bike that has a lock and chain is harder to steal. The more effort it takes to steal something the less tempting the target is. The less tempting it is the fewer people there are that would take the time and risk to do the deed.

Also if it hasn't been said it is easier to get a hard top first and soft top after. A Jeep that only comes with a soft top isn't going to have the wiring and tubing ran for the rear wiper and defroster.

Soft top is just so much easier to deal with vs. the hard top. I didn't buy a jeep not to have the open air when i want. I also have to deal with storing the hard top in my garage when it is not in use. I think the premium top would just be more durable over time and looks nicer inside and out vs. the standard soft top.

This is the same reason I went with a soft top. When I was shopping for a Jeep, hard top was what I wanted. Then I came to my senses. I have no regrets. I drive it with the top down more than I could have imagined.